Construction was started on the Carondelet Canal, popularly known as the Old Basin Canal, in 1794. The canal began at Bayou St. John and went inland to an area behind the French Quarter. The canal's turning basin was responsible for the naming of Basin Street. After the Louisiana Purchase, the French Creole section was in competition with the American section and, in the 1830's, American businessmen decided to construct their own canal - the competing New Basin Canal. By the mid-19th century, the New Basin Canal was much busier than the Old Basin Canal, although the old canal stayed viable into the 20th century. During this later period, it was especially well known for its use by charcoal schoonerand oyster luggers. But, by 1927, it was declared no longer navigable and in 1938, it was filled in.